Elderly women from Gqeberha could not sit back and do nothing knowing many children will go without clothes, food or even gifts this Christmas. So, they put their efforts together and started sewing bags and bags of clothes for underprivileged children.
The women, in collaboration with the Children’s Feeding Trust in Walmer located Sophie Visagie who runs the Sophie Care Child and Youth Development Non-Profit Centre, in Despatch.
Trustee, Maureen Krige said,
The Children’s Feeding Trust (CFT) came into being in 1995 and operates under a registered deed of trust managed by a volunteer board of trustees and a paid staff of two. The Trust has a capital base inherited from the Port Elizabeth School Feeding Fund on its closure after 38 years in 1995 and subsequently built up by the Trust from bequests and fundraising over the past 26 years. Dedicated volunteers also run a bookshop where donated books are on sale to the public. Other fundraising activities include book sales, sale of jumble, donated household items, marmalade, waste paper etc. – in order to cover the administrative costs of the Trust so that donations go directly to the feeding of children. Various schools participate in our collection tins initiative.
Sophie brought five little girls from her neighbourhood who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, to the kind grannies in Walmer, Gqeberha. Walking into the building, the wide-eyed children’s excitement was written on their little faces. After identifying their sizes, the girls swopped their old, torn clothes for newly -sewn dresses, fit for princesses. Pink Alice bands were also placed on each girl’s head, to match their new- found confidence and infectious joy.
“We’re also giving each child a toy, and more clothes and snacks for Sophie with which to return . She’s going to have a little Christmas party for the children whom we will help with contributions we’ve received from different donors and schools,” Krige concluded.
